Football: Cars stalls on Ireland.
Byline: PAUL KEANEREPUBLIC of Ireland midfielder Lee Carsley has quit international football 'for the forseeable future'.
The news comes as little surprise given the Everton player's bit part roles in recent Irish panels and his personal situation in England.
Carsley lives on Merseyside while his young family are based in Derby.
The midfielder hasn't won an Irish cap since last September against Russia and failed to figure during the 2-1 win over the Czech Republic last Wednesday.
The former Blackburn Rovers, Coventry City and Derby County player said his priority is to focus on winning a regular starting place at Goodison Park.
"It is only my family that have said 'no, keep going' but I can't keep doing it and by not making myself available it will give me more time to spend at home," he said.
"I want to concentrate on Everton and to re-establish myself here and if I am going to Ireland to play in international fixtures then I feel that I can't do it.
"For the forseeable future I am not going to make myself available for the Republic of Ireland national team."
Carsley has the backing of Irish chief Brian Kerr who said: "I spoke to Lee before and after the Czech Republic match and he asked not to be selected until he has re-established himself in the Everton team and I have agreed to that request."
Carsley made his senior debut against Romania in 1997 and figured prominently under Mick McCarthy's time in charge.
He was part of the squad at Japan and South Korea for the 2002 World Cup finals but has since fallen down the pecking order.
Carsley, 30, picked up 29 caps and had been expected to call it a day after the failed Euro 2004 qualifying campaign which ended in defeat to Switzerland last October.
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CARSLEY: Quit international game
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| Title Annotation: | Sport |
|---|---|
| Publication: | The Mirror (London, England) |
| Date: | Apr 7, 2004 |
| Words: | 312 |
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